Page 8 of Crashing Into Me
The house never felt lived in, either—too perfect, like it was a model home on a construction site. Then quietly and softly he spoke, breaking through her thoughts. It was so quiet in the house, save for the crackling fireplace, that it was as if he was whispering directly in her ear. That was how quiet the house was in general and her reason for wanting to come, but ever since she’d met Kayden, everything was already too loud—her thoughtsandher emotions. She turned and faced him as he spoke.
“I’m truly sorry about the turnpike, gorgeous. I really was in a hurry, trying to catch Paula. I wrote down your license plate and had every intention of contacting you, but I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did.”
He looked sincere, and she softened a little at his words.
“It's not like youactuallyalmost died,” he said slowly and carefully, making air quotes at the word “died.”
Her blood pressure instantly rose again.
“Go to hell! But before you do, please be sure to check yourself into a hotel by morning.”
She was going to talk to Paula tomorrow for sure. Lana stomped into the kitchen, opened the fridge, threw her dinner in, even though she was still starving, then headed up the staircase. Her purse dragged behind her, slapping each stair as she ascended. Kayden couldn’t help but enjoy her reaction; she was all fire all the time. A smile spread across his face as his eyes landed on her firm rear before she disappeared up the stairs.
After the door slammed upstairs, he sat back down on the couch and took another sip of his drink. He liked her—a lot. She was bold, hot-headed, and so damned beautiful at the same time. Very unlike anyone he had ever met before, but he had bigger things to worry about. He had to see to Rachel and prepare for the wrath of his mother, Maureen Capshaw.
Lana didn’t know him well enough to know that he was being sincere. He was actually disappointed in himself about what happened, more than she would ever know, which was the reason for his drinking. He took the last sip from the glass and rested it back down on the coffee table. Kayden leaned back on the couch and watched the fires dance before him until they died out, and he fell asleep.
4
breathing the same air
Tossing and turning all night didn’t help Lana get any rest, and before she knew it, the sun rose and filled the room.Don’t Paula and Garrett believe in blinds or drapes,she thought, as her eyes adjusted to the light. Remembering she had a house guest, sent a series of images from the previous night through her mind. Those eyes, that smile, and him standing in front of her in nothing but boxer briefs. Yes, he was smug, arrogant, and impossible, but what pissed her off more was that she was attracted to him.
She stumbled out of bed, eyes barely open, and into the en-suite bathroom. She snatched up the toothpaste and toothbrush and avoided her reflection as she rigorously brushed her teeth. She felt disgusted with herself for having that reaction to him last night. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the pompous jerk out of her head, and as much as she wanted to punch him in the face, she also wanted to kiss him on the lips.Gross,she thought, and stopped brushing.
I’ve really lost my mind now.She spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth, then turned on the shower. Once the water was nice and hot, she took off her clothes. Sleeping in her jeans and bra was very uncomfortable, but she left her luggage inthe car last night. She was so exhausted that she collapsed on the bed and couldn’t move another muscle. Luckily, she and Paula were the same size, so she didn’t need to go out in the cold to retrieve her duffel bag.
Stepping into the shower, she let the heat beat on her muscles like a million tiny fists, pounding out the tension. The vanilla bean-scented body wash was aromatic and soothing—her favorite and always in ample supply there. Paula had one of those rain shower heads that was perfect for the walk-in shower. The heated bathroom tiles made you feel like you were in a spa, and later she planned to take a nice, long bath in the seriously oversized whirlpool tub. For now, all she wanted was to wash the traces of her drive up to Hamby away, the diner fiasco, and Kayden Capshaw down the drain.
LANA CAREFULLY TOOK the stairs,unsure of what to expect. The beautiful black wrought iron railing was cool to the touch as she let her hand skim across it, as she crept down to the first story. The walls were adorned with textured wallpaper, with floral designs that seemed to jump out at you. The rose and cream colors gave the house a warm feel. As she reached the bottom of the staircase, there was silence.
Walking into the open living room and kitchen, the floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a spectacular panoramic view of Hamby below. The dying hemlock trees didn’t look half as daunting anymore in the early morning light. The weather claimed tons of leaves overnight, as evidenced by the dead ones all over the expansive backyard. Then the smell of freshly brewed coffee caught her nose, and she walked into the kitchen.
On the countertop, there was a bright pink sticky note. She picked it up and read aloud:
“Gone to see Rachel. Enjoy the cup of Joe, gorgeous- K.”
Balling up the note, she turned the coffee machine off, grabbed her keys, and started for the door. Her stomach stopped her with a growl loud enough to wake a bear. She hadn’t eaten last night or much on the drive up. Lana grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and rushed down the foyer. His leather jacket was hanging on the coat rack as she exited the door, a sure sign that he didn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
AS SHE DROVE towards town,everything looked almost normal. Mason’s had the McLaren still up on the tow truck, and there was barely a scratch on it. It was a comparison to the way Kayden probably lived his life. Causing destruction without the messy consequences affectinghislife. As she passed Aunt Mae’s, there was smoke, but it was coming from a grill.
Probably trying to salvage a breakfast service. The staff and patrons milled about in the parking lot, and despite the night before, everyone wore a smile. They were making the best out of a bad situation. The smell of barbecue reminded her that the apple wasn’t enough and decided she would stop there on her way back from the hospital. Alone this time, if she could help it. Lana steered the Ford through the roundabout as city workers repaired the park bench. The engine roared as she got onto Main Street and headed out of Hamby, towards Shelby.I wonder how long he’s been there?It was only nine thirty, so he couldn’t have gotten far. Lana pressed the gas pedal and hurled out of town.
SHELBY GENERAL LOOKEDlike every other hospital in the country. It wasn’t a level one trauma center or anything fancy, but the staff seemed competent and the facility was actually quite lovely. Being only half an hour away, the town was a little more modern than Hamby and had three times as many people. After getting her visitor’s pass, she took some time to take it in. Electronic check-in computer, no dust or cobwebs in the corners of the walls—she couldn’t help herself, being a nurse.
Lana always inspected and compared other hospitals to her own. This one looked to be only thirty or forty years old, which wasn’t too bad. Most hospitals have been around since the dinosaurs, and cleaning wasn’t always a top priority in some of them. She eventually reached the elevators and waited for them to come down. Rachel’s room was on the second floor in room 222.
The secretary wrote it down on a piece of paper, even though it was easy to remember. As the doors opened and she entered, she found herself a little excited. Not to see Rachel in such a rare form, no, but to seehim.He’s the last person I should want to see,she thought as the elevator lifted to the second floor. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen an attractive man before.
There was just something abouthimthat drew her in. He had none of the attributes she wanted in a man—physical ones aside. She cleared her mind as the elevator bell sounded and opened. A few people were waiting to get on, so she hurried out into the hallway and looked for the signage on the puke-green walls for the rooms. Seemed the color was another thing all hospitals had in common on one floor or another.
The smell was also that familiar antibacterial, sterile smell like all facilities. The nurses and doctors on the floor were busy running to and fro, going about business as usual. A typical Med/Surg unit. A floor like this had a variety of patients, everything from surgeries to cardiac issues to broken bones. You name it and it’s probably there. Finally, after having walked down the long stretch of hallway, she reached two-twenty-two and knocked lightly on the door.
Her heart began to race at the thought of him being in there.No, she told herself,this is not why you’re here.Slowly, she pushed the door open to the private room, paid for by Kayden, no doubt, and walked in. The room was filled with flowers, cards, and boxes of chocolate—the scent overpowered any antibacterial possible. Rachel was sitting up in bed watching TV, and she beamed a smile as Lana approached her side.
“Hey, darlin’!” Rachel exclaimed.
She looked really good, even with the cast on her leg. If it weren’t there, you wouldn’t be able to tell anything was wrong with her at all.
